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Footsteps thudded up the stairs.
Walker. Of course. His most thoughtful brother—well, besides Houston. Houston was the youngest and being thoughtful stopped the brothers from picking on him. It was also most likely a requirement for a doctor to be thoughtful.
“Hey, bro. Mama wondered why you’re wearing a hole in the ceiling. I said I’d come check to protect you from her cussin’ you.” He gave his slow grin.
“Thanks.”
“Sure. So …”
Miles shrugged, gesturing to Eva’s door. “I want to be here when she wakes up.”
“I can understand that. Eva Chevron.” He let out a whistle. “Mama gave Easton the what-for. He should calm down now. It’s just … Eva Chevron.” He lifted his hands and smiled. “How long have we all crushed on her?”
“A long time,” Miles admitted, turning his hat in his hands. How to explain it was more than a crush for him? She was brave, kind, and perfect for him. They had a mind-altering, future-changing connection… that he couldn’t act on. He hung his head.
“All the pictures all over your cabin.” Walker chuckled. “That ticked Lily off.” His smile faded. “What are you going to do about her? She deserves to be free.”
“I want her to be. I’ve got to go see her.” He shrugged. “See if I can figure it out without hurting her.” He wasn’t getting into Lily and all his issues right outside Eva’s door. She was more than likely still asleep, but … what if?
“I’ll try to help you make that happen. Lily’s amazing, but any fool can see you two aren’t meant to be.” Walker pointed at the door and lowered his voice. “Meant to be?”
“I’ve probably messed it up already.”
“How so?” Walker leaned against the wall, not in any hurry. He had a way of studying you and making you feel like whatever you were saying was the most important thing in the world to him.
“Will she ever believe that she’s special and not just because she’s famous? I made the mistake of saying something about Lily. I’ve never been a mess like this.” He realized he wasn’t making a lot of sense.
“You’ve got some time to be around Eva. If it’s right, it’ll work out. Besides, I’ve never known a woman who wasn’t into you. The Navy SEAL thing is the clincher.” He grinned.
“The championship roper and cowboy grin isn’t working for you?” Miles teased.
“It works just fine. I have plenty of women chasing me, just not … the one I can’t get out of my head.” He rubbed at his jaw. “Do you think you’ll finally … close that chapter of your life?” There was a hopeful light in his eyes. Was Miles right in assuming Walker had a crush on Lily? Was she the one Walker couldn’t get out of his head?
“I have to be a lot firmer about it than last time.”
“You do that.”
“Any vested interest in me doing that?”
Walker raised his eyebrows but didn’t comment.
“Even if I do end things, it might be too late to make a play for Eva.”
“I don’t know. I saw how she looked at you, how she leaned into you.” Walker splayed his hands. “See you downstairs in a bit.”
“Thanks, Walker.”
Walker tilted his chin and strode off. A few minutes later, soft footsteps sounded in Eva’s room. He perked up and wondered if he should lean against the wall and put the cowboy hat on, try to imitate Clint’s patented John Wayne look. He shook his head at himself. He didn’t posture, and Walker was right. Women were drawn to him. He’d always kept his distance because of Lily. Now he had to somehow walk a line because of Lily. How soon could he go meet with her and end the relationship? How horrible was that of him? He wouldn’t have stepped up if he hadn’t met Eva. He kept justifying that it was better for Lily.
The door behind him creaked open.
Miles turned and his mouth gaped open wider than the door. He reminded himself to flap it closed as he clung tightly to his hat. She was in a simple, soft-looking knee-length T-shirt dress. It wasn’t clingy or revealing or anything. Eva didn’t need to show off. She was more appealing than any woman he’d ever seen, and it had nothing to do with her fame or her acting ability. He didn’t even think it had much to do with her gorgeous face. It was how real she was, how they connected, her bravery, the sparks and draw he felt between them, the light that shone from her face, the kindness that was instinctively hers but he imagined she’d worked throughout her life to cultivate.
“Morning,” he managed. He had a moment of terror when she didn’t respond. Had she overheard his conversation with Walker? Did she hate him and think he was two-timing his ‘girl back home’?
Her gaze traveled over him, and she looked as breathless as he felt. “Good morning,” she said. Then she grinned, and the floor shifted under his feet. He spread his stance. It helped. A bit. That grin restored his faith that he had a chance with her. Walker would help him; he would watch diligently over Eva while Miles found Lily and broke things off. Would Easton flirt with Eva and try to get her to fall for him while Miles was gone? No, he would try that regardless of where Miles was. Hopefully Clint would be busy with sheriff duties and not get in on the competition.
“Bacon and real pancakes.” She gave an exaggerated inhale and then a sigh. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had real pancakes?” She pinned him with a threatening look. “Do not tell my trainer.”
